Composite carton

Abstract

A composite carton is provided having a tray section and a cover section of dissimilar material connected thereto for relative movement about a predetermined foldline between open and closed positions. The tray section has a marginal portion provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures. The cover section is formed of a substantially transparent plastic and is provided with a marginal ledge having a first portion defining the predetermined foldline and a second portion offset from the foldline and provided with a plurality of stud-like protuberances. The protuberances are fixedly inserted in the corresponding apertures. The contents of the tray section are readily observable when the cover section is in a closed position.

We claim: 
     
       1. A composite carton comprising a tray section and a cover section hingedly connected to one side of said tray section and movable relative thereto about a predetermined foldline between open and close positions, said tray and cover sections having complemental open sides disposed in proximate superposed relation when said sections are in a closed position, said sections being formed of dissimilar materials, one section being provided with a laterally projecting marginal portion delimiting the open side thereof, said marginal portion having a plurality of longitudinally spaced means formed therein and offset in one direction from the foldline, the other section being provided with a laterally projecting marginal ledge delimiting the open side thereof, said other section having a first portion extending from said marginal ledge and defining the predetermined foldline, and a second portion extending from said first portion and coacting with said marginal ledge to sandwich therebetween said one section marginal portion, said second portion being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced protruding means fixedly engaging said marginal portion means. 
     
     
       2. The composite carton of claim 1 wherein the marginal portion means includes a plurality of apertures, and the protruding means includes a plurality of stud-like protuberances fixedly inserted in corresponding apertures. 
     
     
       3. The composite carton of claim 2 wherein the second portion of the marginal ledge includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced tabs, each tab being provided with a stud-like protuberance. 
     
     
       4. The composite carton of claim 1 wherein the material of which one of the sections is formed is a substantially transparent heat-formable plastic. 
     
     
       5. The composite carton of claim 4 wherein the other section is formed of moldable material. 
     
     
       6. The composite carton of claim 5 wherein the tray section is of moldable material and is provided with at least one cell for accommodating a product; the accommodated product being observable when the cover section is in a closed position. 
     
     
       7. The composite carton of claim 1 wherein the marginal ledge and the second portion are disposed on opposite sides of the predetermined foldline when the sections are in a fully open position. 
     
     
       8. The composite carton of claim 1 wherein the tray section is of molded pulp material and is provided with at least one row of cells for accommodating fragile articles, and the cover section is formed of a substantially transparent heat formable plastic whereby the cell-accommodated fragile articles are observable when the cover section is in a closed position. 
     
     
       9. The composite carton of claim 8 wherein the tray section is provided with at least one upstanding post, said post supportingly engaging said cover section when the latter assumes a closed position. 
     
     
       10. The composite carton of claim 9 wherein the cover section is provided with at least one depending post which abuttingly engages a corresponding upstanding post formed in the tray section when the cover section assumes a closed position. 
     
     
       11. A composite carton for accommodating a plurality of eggs, said carton comprising a molded tray section provided with a plurality of egg-accommodating cells arranged in adjoining parallel rows; and a cover section formed of a substantially transparent heat-formable plastic, said cover section being permanently connected to one side of the tray section and movable relative thereto about a predetermined foldline between open and closed positions, any eggs accommodated in said cells being observable through the cover section when the latter is in a closed position, the predetermined foldline being substantially parallel to a row of egg-accommodating cells; the tray section being provided with a marginal portion delimiting an open top of said tray section, said marginal portion having formed therein a row of longitudinally spaced means offset inwardly from and substantially parallel to the predetermined foldline, the cover section being provided with a marginal ledge delimiting an open bottom therefor, a first portion extending outwardly from the marginal ledge and defining the predetermined foldline, and a second portion extending from said first portion being provided with a row of stud-like protuberances fixedly engaging the marginal portion means of the tray section whereby the marginal portion is substantially sandwiched between the marginal ledge and the second portion of the cover section when the latter is in the closed position. 
     
     
       12. The composite carton of claim 11 wherein the longitudinally spaced means of the tray section marginal portion includes a plurality of apertures into which the stud-like protuberances of the tray section are fixedly inserted. 
     
     
       13. The composite carton of claim 11 wherein corresponding segments of the tray section marginal portion and the cover section marginal ledge are provided with complemental locking means for releasably retaining the cover section in a closed position.